Thomas County cat. [volume] (Colby, Kan.) 1885-1891, 1887-10-13
THE LAST MAN.
The Troubles That Grew Out of
Hasty Conclusion.

The light was we'll spent, aad dark
ness was near, when the enemy's at
tacks ceased on that part of the Fed
sral line at Chickamauga which was
held by the troops under Thomas. on
the second day. Between the left of
these forces and that remainder of the
army which had not left the field, Law
a long stretch of forest, effectually cut
ting off the view between the two
points. just at dusk there was borne
across this foresta sound of rapid mus
kerry, but this was soon over, and then
followed prolonged cheering. 1t was
clear to those with Thomas that the
cheers came from Confederates, and
signified a capture of more or less inn
portance. The incident served, in con-
nection with what followed, to cast a
deeper gloom over the exhausted SOL
diers
That which followed was an order to
withdraw from the field in retreat to
Chattanooga. The left of Thomas
line rested upon ridge the end of
which was covered with standing corn.
AT the foot of the ridge, to the left,
was fence, and beyond this, the
forest already mentioned. A line of
Federal skermishers was posted along
the fence. and the orders were for
this line to remain until the troops
were well off the ridge in their re-
treat and then to quietly withdraw
and make the best of their way to re-
join the column. The skirmish line
was composed of single regiment,
and captain was in command, all the
field officers having fallen in the two
days fighting. The captain, straight
and soldierly fellow. with bright brown
hair and beard closely cut, was wait
ing with what patience he could COM
mand until his time came to retreat.
1t was an uncertain service at best,
this staying behind in skirmish line
while the army marched away. So
thought the captain, as he moved I'M
easily a few PAGES back and forth be-
hind his men. There was something
else to trouble him; he WINGED when
ever he put his left foot to the ground
The captain had been waiting nearly
half an hour when there came an
OminOus sound from the forest in
front. 1t was too dark to see, but
there could be no installing that
sound. 1t was the tramp of men CONF
ing cautiously on. as a force would do
in the dark. expecting to meet an en-
envy at every step. The captain
thought it yet too early to retire, and
so there was nothing for it but to
await the oncoming force and trust to
fortune. On it came, and presently
the dusky forms of line of skirmish-
crs were seen scarcely thirty PAGES in
front of the Federal line. At the same
instant the Captains men. standing si-
lently in their places. were discovered
by the others. Neither knew GER
fainly to which army the other be-
longed. The line which came from
the wood halted without command,
hesitating. Then an officer stepped
forward and demanded:
"What troops are those?''
Not at loss for moment, the Fed.
eral Captain responded:
"All right! We're going up the
bill BE ready to support us. Now,
then. men-quietly! Pass the word
along!'
Whatever the doubts of the other,
the captain was sure that the force
confronting him was Confederate. He
was at last relieved of uncertainty
he must move now. His men UNDER
stool; the command went from man